Welcoming the stranger

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.  -Hebrews 13:1-2

I have grown weary of reading about the acts of violence in our country and around the world.  I have grown weary of reading people's blogs and writings on refugees and whether or not they should be welcomed.  And yet here I am writing.

The hospitality to refugees is a puzzle to me and yet not so uncommon.  When I was in high school our community, church and my family welcomed many refugees and gave of time and resources to get them a safe place to live and jobs.  I remember my mother getting some of our furniture recovered to give them employment.  I don't remember anyone having a problem with welcoming these strangers.

I have seen in many churches how people lump groups of people together.  If you are a teenager you are up to no good.  If you are old you don't know anything.  If you are a single parent on public assistance...  You get the idea.  I have to wonder and even assume that is what people are doing when they say they don't want to welcome refugees for fear they may be terrorists.  I understand (I think) but that doesn't make it acceptable.

The other night we were working in the book "Five Questions of Christmas".  The author had helped us take a look at the question Zechariah asked the angel who had just told him his wife of old age would have a child: How can this be? We considered this a matter of not trusting God.  We say with God all things are possible. But when we are asked to believe in something we know to be impossible we don't trust God.

Then it hit me. How many of us who seek to be faithful and Christlike say we trust God's will for our lives and even propose that we are willing when God calls - how many of us might have a different answer when something difficult is asked of us?  I know I am apt to be there.  You want me to do what God?

Living the Christian life is not easy for anyone. We are asked to do difficult things, love unlovable people and give up control. I also wonder if the state of the church (decline) is because people have not really been willing to do those things in the past? present? 

As a pastor a day does not go by that I do not get interrupted in what I am doing to be with someone when they need me or even when they just want to chat.  Being a pastor has taught me a lot about being present and available for others.  I am often asked to love the unlovable or those people who have the most ridiculous demands or who gossip about me and others... I still am called to love them.

I have come to accept "it is not about me".  It is about a world created by a God of power, might, compassion, love, forgiveness... Each one of us has received freely the gift of God's love and blessings as well as many do overs we don't deserve. It is not about me and  it is not mine to judge. I responsible for springing in to action for those in need and seeking to bring about glimpses of God's preferred future for God's people.

Thank you for sticking with my rambling.  Perhaps I am the only one who needed this but I do pray this might be helpful.

Have a blessed holiday season.  May love always win big time.

Conspiracy

Winter has finally arrived and settled in here in Ottumwa Iowa.  The good news is there are more eagles in town because of the open water on the river.  The difficult news has been every Sunday this year has been snowy, icy, extremely cold,  and we even cancelled worship once.

A colleague of mine (who I happen to live with) suggested there  a conspiracy for our churches to have low attendance so far this year. I don't believe that to be true but I have been thinking about a conspiracy the church might take on.

A conspiracy of kindness, grace and love for those in our community. What if each person in the church were to find at least 3 random acts they could do for different folks every week especially during Lent.

Ottumwa, Iowa has shy of 25,000 people living here.  I have well over 250 active people in my church times 3 a week would be 750 random acts.  If my church alone were to work on this at 750 random acts per week it would take us 33 weeks to saturate the community.

It takes 21 days to make a habit stick.  33 weeks of this kind of conspiracy and we could not stop ourselves.

As the church we often ask the community for things such as attendance at fund raisers.  I would love to see a conspiracy of kindness, grace and love.  If other churches and Christians joined us we could really get people's attention and get them asking about the "conspiracy" of love being shown.

Just a thought or two.

Grace and Peace to you,
Leila Disburg, pastor
Willard Street UMC in Ottumwa Iowa

Time to blog again

I have been back in Iowa for 2 1/2 years and it has been longer than that since I last blogged.  Often when life changes such as a move - old ways get lost. I feel as if this is the time to begin blogging again.

I still hold the same vision of my purpose and the purpose for the church which is to help others see glimpses of the Kingdom of God or God's preferred future.  It seems to be needed more today than ever before.  The church appears to have been left behind by the world.  There is violence everywhere. Wars continue.  There is an unrest.

I believe my main purpose is to help the world see that there is hope. Often after Christmas it is difficult to hold on to that hope as we march in to the new year.  That moment that happens at Christmas Eve worship when everyone is holding a lit candle, the lights are turned off and silent night is being sung - that moment is magical.  The light of Christ reflected on the faces is full of hope.  If we could only hold on to that the rest of the year.

The reality however is that we live in a broken world. We are broken people. Often we like to hide our brokenness pretending we are perfect and all is good.  If only we could claim our brokenness and boldly show the world how we have survived.  Hope would be given to others just knowing they are not alone.

There is an art form used with broken pottery called Kintsukuroi.  The broken pieces are put back together with a mixture containing gold dust.  The result is often times a piece that is even more beautiful than the original piece.

This art form is a reminder that each of us are made more beautiful through the brokenness we have experienced if we have let God use those breaks.  God does not cause our brokenness but God can help us to turn it to something other than a jagged edge.

The most beautiful people I see wear the scars of their brokenness.  In those broken places they have grown stronger and wiser and closer to God's preferred future for the world.

Where are you broken?  How has God used your brokenness?  How could God use your brokenness to bring hope to others?

Watching the Mountains of Snow Melt

Here in Anchorage we are finally seeing signs of the snow melting and even some bare pavement.  I have been wearing my Keen sandals as an affirmation that better weather is coming.  The town and homes still have mountains of snow.  In previous years it takes until the end of the summer for the larger piles to melt.

It has been interesting to watch how a large pile of snow melts.  The melting happens on the bottom and inside and so you see streams of water running out from under the mountains of snow. The snow can be melted much more than you realize just by looking.  If you are the kind of person who notices how high the pile was you may notice the piles of snow getting shorter.  My dog has been climbing the  mountains of snow in the back yard and hurt his knee because the snow looked firm on the top but when he stepped - his leg post holed and he tore his ACL.


Whenever I have tried to make significant changes in my life it has felt like what I have observed as the snow has melted.  I make changes and inside I feel like they are large leaps of change.  However, often on the outside no one even notices.  That can be frustrating.  Working diligently to improve oneself and it isn't visible.


We are going to have to be patient as the snow melts.  It probably will not disappear as quickly as we would wish.  The same is true for each of us as followers of Jesus - we answer God's call to journey forward and be and do more than we have done in the past.  We will need to be patient as the change will happen gradually and perhaps others will not notice at first.


The comfort we have is that we are being faithful.  We know that God is not going to give us instant gratification just because for a week we have been reading the Bible daily or setting aside time to pray.  Like the melting snow, God works in our lives from the inside out as we seek to be faithful.

What is it about being a grandparent?

In case you have been living far away and haven't heard - I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDMOTHER.  My oldest daughter Meghan is due March 24th and is ready to meet this kid as she says.


I have not been this excited in a while.  Why?  Why is it so exciting to think about being a grandparent?  My father actually asked me why I was so excited to be a grandmother.  I did not have a formed answer.


Watching your children grow from baby, toddler, grade school, teenager and finally an adult is an awesome experience.  Once they reach the adult years and you can have a different relationship with them -  you begin to feel as if they have arrived.


Then seeing your children have their own children completes the circle of life.  I have been thinking a lot about my own grandparents and what do I want to pass on to my grandchildren.  I have heard that having grandchildren is better than being a parent because you don't have to do the disciplining.  I am determined my grandkids will enjoy spending time with me.


One of my grandmothers passed the faith on to me.  She sang, read from the Bible, taught Sunday school class and never hesitated to talk about how Jesus wants us to treat other people. My biggest hope is to do the same for my grandchildren.


I began to feel guilty the other day because I realized that I don't have the same sense of excitement at the thought of meeting someone new, getting to know them and sharing God's love with them.  I am not out of my head excited to get the opportunity to witness to others.  The thought of sharing with others about Christ can sometimes make us very nervous.


As I live in to actually being a grandparent I am hoping to take notes on how I pass on the Christian faith and how I can transfer that to sharing the faith with those I don't know.  Pastors share about the faith every week as they lead worship, teach and preach.  Remember that the worship crowd are usually those who are already converted or at least are open to the Christian faith. 


I invite you to consider your relationship to those outside the walls of the church.  How can you walk with them and find opportunities to share the faith?  How can we, the church, become more adept at sharing our experiences of what God has done in our lives, in the lives of others we have known and in scripture.  I hope to gain new insights as I become a grandmother.

Early, On-time and Late Arrivals

     Growing up my parents were always early wherever we went.  We were the first at church and early to the theater and movies.  I don't remember objecting to my parents early timing.  I actually grew up thinking that is just what one does when you go somewhere.
     I get especially anxious if I realize I am going to be late.  I think I am being rude by arriving late or even on time.  I guess there was an implied message in the way my parents approached our arrivals.   I also think it was a part of the time I grew up in - people arrived early for events and got the opportunity to see and talk to others.
     Compare that to what I have seen happening just in church attendance.  Since about 10 years ago it has been common practice for me to walk up the aisle of the church before worship begins and see the church sparsely populated.  Often by the time I kneel, pray and turn around the church is filled with people.  
      This past Sunday was classic at Anchor Park UMC.  I walked in, kneeled to pray and as I began the worship service the pews were very empty.  As I stood up to preach (later in worship) I noticed the church was full of people.
     What does all this mean?  What did it mean when I was growing up and we were always early?  What does it mean today that the tendency is to arrive after the starting time?  What does it mean that as the years go by people are arriving later and later during the worship service?
     I don't have any answers.  I am not upset about this change in behavior.  I find it interesting and am wondering what it reflects about our world and what is happening in people's lives.  
     Those who analyze human behavior have been known to explain why an individual may be consistently late to everything in their lives.  The excuse, I mean explanation is that arriving late is a form of control.  A time may be set for something to begin but the individual is not going to allow someone to tell them what to do - therefore they arrive late to show who is in control.
     Can this be true for our entire society?  This is not just a behavior by a few who are still dealing with childhood issues.  Perhaps things are so hectic in our lives that arriving late is our only option.  I know occasionally I will try to get one last thing done at the house before I leave only to realize it took me longer than I anticipated and I arrive late.
     When my spouse and I go to the movie we are always the first ones to arrive.  We figure that movies are expensive and we want to see it all including the previews and ads.  Maybe movie theaters have trained society to not worry about arriving at the start time because we know there will be a lot of previews before the actual movie starts.
     Another thought I had was the coolness factor.  It was "cool" to arrive early when I was growing up.  Postmodern society may not value early arrivals so it has become "cool" to arrive late.   We know it doesn't pay to arrive on time to the doctor because you always have to wait. (no offense to doctors - just the reality I have experienced) 
     There is a problem with getting in to the habit of late arrivals.  Late arrival becomes a problem for events that definitely start on time.  Things like school, courtroom and airline flights tend to fairly rigid in their start times.
     Whatever the reason I do find it interesting how the world has changed in this way.  If you have an explanation write me a comment because I would love to hear.  Know that I am not upset but just acknowledging a current reality that I find interesting.  Late arrivals definitely impact how we think about organizing our time as planners.
     There is one thing I know for sure - God loves the early, the on-time and the late arrivers.  May we grant one another grace in behaving as we have been created.

What A Difference!!!

     I was just reading a wonderful devotion written by a colleague in Iowa using the "transitioning" weather as an image for "transitioning" in life.  It was very appropriate for Iowa but the devotion would be lost on Alaskans.
     In Iowa when the weather is "transitioning" it is important to stay tuned to the radio and TV stations for updates.  The day can begin with rain turning to ice turning to snow turning to a blizzard.  For Iowans when there is bad weather that usually means people are asked and warned to stay home and off the roads.  Tornado season is another time Iowans stay tuned to the radio and TV.
     Contrast that to Alaska.  I am not sure we ever know when the weather is "transitioning" and even if it does transition to ice or snow we are prepared for it and go out anyway.  In Alaska we also don't put much confidence in the weather forecasters because they are usually wrong.  If we stayed home in Alaska when there was snow we would not leave the house for many days and even months at a time.
     Two different parts of the same country and an image has two very different meanings.  I realize I will need to be "transitioning" very soon to the Iowa way of seeing the world.  Much the same as when I transitioned to Alaska 5 years ago.
     I do however thank God that I have a new perspective on the world because of my time in Alaska.  I imagine that as the years go by in Iowa I will still continue to smile and think of Alaska when Iowans cancel events because of a little snow.   God created humans and areas of the world to be different.  Thanks be to God. 
     May each of us understand how different a perspective can be depending on where we are living and our life experiences.  Neither is wrong - just different.

Being Served

Last week I had the privilege of spending time with my family at an all inclusive resort.  Basically I spent a week enjoying the sun, beach, my family and being served.  My every desire was taken care of throughout this week.


As the week was about half way through I began to notice that the staff was extremely attentive and often anticipated my needs.  If I dropped something someone quickly picked it up - if my glass was empty it got filled - well you get the idea.  This was a great contrast to a person who is used to serving others.


There are several observations I would make out of this experience.


First, I was resistant to being waited on at first.  As the days went on it felt good and I relaxed and let it happen.  This was a good reminder that as I serve my neighbor in mission they may at first be resistance but if I keep at it they will relax, know that I mean no harm and even relax and enjoy.


Second, at the beginning of the week I did not notice those serving me but as time progressed I began to realize how amazing it was there were so many people concerned about my needs.  I also felt comforted knowing there was not anything I might face that week where I would have to solve it myself.  This also seems applicable in the work we do as the church in serving our mission field.


Third, by the end of the week I relaxed and felt special.  When we are cared for by others we can relax and we are reminded how special we are in God's eyes.  I think it would be awesome to give each person in our mission field a reason to relax and remember they are special in God's eyes and in our lives.


There are many of us who spend our lives intently looking for ways to serve others.  After last week I understand the need for each of us to have a time like I did last week.  I am not alone on this journey and I am indeed special in God's eyes.  Serving others takes patience as they trust our motives.


Peace, Leila

Green - Paperless Worship

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of worshiping with the Palmer Fellowship in their beautiful new location.  As I came in the door I did what I automatically do - I began to look for the bulletin.  I was told there was not a bulletin.  The church had gone green through being paperless.


One part of me thought awesome.  Another part of me started to panic - how will I know what is happening, how will I see what is on their calendar....  As I sat through worship I began to relax and allow worship to flow.  What I found was that the worship service was relaxing for me - I didn't have to keep looking at the bulletin to see what was next.  I could simply worship and allow those in leadership to carry me through.


Anchor Park UMC tried a similar experience for one week.  They did not have a bulletin one Sunday and no worship plan.  The idea was to let the spirit move them.  I was not able to be present for this service but I heard it was a good experience.


There is a great concern about the environment and being green.  I wonder if more churches might consider going without a bulletin.  What if you allowed any information to be on the screen up front or in your weekly e-blast newsletter?  Think about the amount of paper that would be saved - the cost and the trees.  I see it as a wonderful witness of the Christian commitment to model behavior that reflect Christ.


If your church decides to go paperless I would enjoy hearing about your experience.  I appreciate our connection to share these experiences and ideas and I thank God for the witness of our churches in the Alaska UM Conference.

Just Another Reminder - God Is In Control

This past week I was stricken with a mysterious illness - temperature, aches, pains, nausea, chills... you get the idea.  On the first day of this illness I thought - I must have picked up a bug.  I will be up and well by tomorrow.  The next day came and I was not up and well I was still very ill.  Then I began to bargain and rationalize - God I am sure this isn't going to last longer than today - if that is the deal then I will be perfect from now on (right).


The third day came and went and I still was not better.  Finally on the fourth day I woke up feeling better, very weak and dizzy but better.  I was able to eat real food - cautiously.  Now I am definitely on the road to recovery.


As I reflect on this ordeal (yes I have been known to be a little dramatic) I have to confess until the third day - I was determined to be in charge.  I had a childhood notion that I could control being sick.  I even bargained with God.  On the third day I gave in and in my prayer told God that I understood - nothing I was going to do other than rest and drink plenty of liquids - was going to hurry this up.  God was in charge.


Why does it take things like this to help me remember (I mean really remember) that God is in charge.  I am not in control and if I give over the controls to God I will be taken care of in ways I could not even begin to invent.


Thank you God for a bout with the flu (I think).  I don't believe God caused me to be sick but I do know that God was with me every moment and prepared the way for me to be well again.  I do believe that God can help us to turn our "mourning in to dancing" if we will just give over control.


Glimpses of the world the way God would prefer it shine through when we release our tight grip on control.  (If I could just remember that.)

Eerie Predictions

Did any of you see these eerie predictions from 1969 about the church?  Deborah Cole Wise from Iowa discovered this newspaper article.

Looking into the future - a view from 1969

The Fort Dodge Messenger Farm Edition July 26, 1969

Shocking Forecasts:

Predicts no sermons in churches of the future

by George W. Cornell AP religion writer

NEW YORK (AP) - Out of the murkiness of the present commotion and changes in the churches, a Protestant scholar has taken a long look at the eventual results of it all - and he sees some shockers ahead.

Among them: The disappearance of sermons and Sunday morning church services; growing interest in Jesus and less in the mystery of God; broad church consolidations; multiple memberships by some believers in more than one church.

The Rev. Dr. Roland W Tapp of Philadelphia, a United Presbyterian specialist in religious education, says "part of the upheaval now going on in the churches is temporary, but much of it will have permanent effects."

Recently on a three month research assignment for analysis and planning, Dr Tapp said in an interview that indications are that the organizational structures of churches "are not going to make it" to the end of the century."

"The long-range prospects are good for essential Judeo-Christianity, but not for the institutions.," he said.

Dr Tapp, a one time missionary, California pastor and World War II bomber pilot, is a former professor of psychology and philosophy of religion at Kentucky's Center College and of Biblical languages at San Francisco Theological Seminary.

He offered his lively preview of the future church at a recent gathering of religious publishers.

Items on the forecast included:

- A re-enactment of the fundamentalist-liberal fight of 60 years ago...It already has resulted in a marked polarization of the church at all levels...the split may become irreparable.

-With Protestants and Roman Catholics "no longer in real dispute" over major doctrines, they wil move increasingly toward "merger at practical levels" - between fundamental Protestants and fundamental Catholics and between liberal Protestants and liberal Catholics.

- Most institutional members will be 45 years old, and up.  "There will be a steady decrease in total membership...fewer youths will join the church."

-On the other hand, there will be "increasing interest in religion and Christianity" among college students and young adults but "they will continue to avoid the institutional church."

-Christian teachers will see themselves "more as fellow-seekers" rather than "transmitters of heritage."  They "will be more interested in Jesus and less in God"  even though this seems a "flat contradiction in Biblical terms."

- The Consultation on Church Union will bring unification of major Protestant denominations among "great wailing and gnashing of teeth," but the new connective church "will be no more of a monolith than it is now."

-"Sermons are out.  And so is the Sunday morning worship service at 11 o'clock.  The death rattle will be long and loud and gruesome."

-The main theological shift will be away from doctrine of divine transcendence toward a "doctrine of panentheism," which holds that "God is in everything," in contrast from pantheism, which says "God is everything."

- Racial integration "will be a fact within the churches...It already is a workable everday truth at headquarters levels."

- Church property, valued today at over $80 billion, will go on tax rolls.  "In a pluralistic society with Christians rapidly becoming a minority, this kind of tax exempt welath simply cannot be tolerated.  It won't be."

God's Presence

God has been present in my life since I was forming in my mother's womb.  How do I know?  I had two grandmothers and a father praying for me and working to keep me rather than put me up for adoption.

God has been present in my life as a teenager.  How do I know?  I was fortunate to have top notch  youth group directors, Sunday school teachers, pastors and opportunities to grow my faith.

God has been present in my life even when my child died.  How do I know?  There was a church that would not stop calling and telling us how much they and God loved us.  They assured us that it was okay if we were mad at God.  Through their tenacity we returned to the church.

God has been present in my life... always.  How do I know?  I believe in a God who came to earth to dwell in our midst as John 1 says.  One translation even says that God came and pitched tent in our midst.  After Jesus could no longer be present here on earth he assured us that we would not be left alone.

God has been present in my life everyday through the people I meet, those I love, those who irritate me, the teachers, mentors, friends, family, husband, children... all of these have been physical reminders of God's presence in my life.  I am never alone and God has given me so much to carry me.  How do I know?  I know through the love of those around me.

I hope that God is present in your life.  If God is not present I would encourage you to begin to look for God. Contemplate your life and discover those times in your life when God has come to you in the form of those around you.

God is present.  Always.  When we can't sense God's presence the absence is caused by the scales on our eyes and hearts.  May God's presence be constant in your life.

Reminder of the Basics of Stewardship

I can't believe I am doing this again but this week I am copying my friend Scott Hibben's article.  He lifts up basic reminders for all of us concerning stewardship and giving.  Scott Hibben is on staff with the Iowa Annual Conference and an ordained United Methodist Elder.


Stirrings - September 28, 2011 - Scott Hibben - scott.hibben@iaumc.org  •  www.iaumc.org
This past April we offered a series of “Tippers to Tithers” workshops across the Conference,
with Paul Nickerson. The purpose of these workshops was to assist congregations in identifying
and implementing some of the most recent best practices in financial stewardship and giving. If
your congregation was part of this workshop, hopefully you are well on the way to already
doing this, but since we are now coming upon that time of year when again every church thinks
twice about its budget and its people’s giving, I thought it might be helpful to highlight some of
our learnings.

• People’s giving is not about “duty, obligation, and expectations of church membership,”
but actually from what inspires them
     o Make it personal—tell the story of the difference their giving is making in the
lives of individuals
     o Make it about something bigger than themselves—something eternal, of God,
because it REALLY is!
• For these reasons, people don’t give to a budget, but to people and purpose
     o Therefore, don’t put a financial budget in people’s hands, with all the financial
figures, but a ministry budget, that puts the focus on people and ministry
• Especially in these economic turbulent times, one of the best gifts a church can give its
people is teaching them healthy stewardship practices
     o Such as through Financial Peace University, Good Sense, etc.
     o So definitely have a campaign—which helps people learn how to budget and
plan their giving to the ministry of their church
• Definitely have different letters for different levels of givers
     o People give at different levels for different reasons, so the same message
doesn’t resonate with everyone. Customize your letters to 1) the “top 20%”
givers, 2) the middle 80%, and 3) the 20% who are “low/no” givers
• Stewardship development is not just a October/November issue
     o Preach it, teach it, celebrate it, live it out twelve months a year
     o Emphasize planned giving—what people can keep doing after they are gone
• Say, “Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”
     o People give to that from which they receive some affirmation
     o Weekly write notes, thanking people for ALL their support of their church’s
ministry, sharing the difference their giving is making in individuals’ lives
• Be transparent and accessible, mailing out monthly statements
• Electronic fund transfers (EFTs) are a good thing
     o For young adults, who have no/carry no checkbooks
     o For people who miss church but through EFTs still support their church’s ministry
• The pastor needs to know/be able to know what every person is giving
     o Because people’s giving are spiritual, leadership, and pastoral care issues—and
that is the responsibility and daily work of a pastor
• Avoid statistics in the bulletin or newsletter that are self-defeating or don’t tell the truth
     o Don’t beat people up, shame them into giving, or be Chicken Little calling out
“crisis”—because over the long run, that does not motivate giving, but defeats it
     o Church giving doesn’t come in evenly over twelve months—so your reporting
needs to reflect that
• Have some fun already!
     o God loves a hilarious/cheerful giver, II Corinthians 9:7, so reflect that in the
offerings, campaign, how you thank people and celebrate their giving…
To learn more about all of this, Clif Christopher’s book, “Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate,” is a
great resource, along with your district Stewardship Team. Churches that implement these best
practices notice on average a 20% increase in giving, but even more importantly, a deeper
renewal of spirit about what faith and the practice of our faith is all about—for the cause of
Christ. May you discover that, too.
In Christ, together,
Scott

Don Nations - DNA Coaching

Here is an excerpt from Don Nations latest newsletter.  If you want to subscibe it is free.  Google Don Nations, DNA Coaching:  http://dnacoaching.com.  I always enjoy their e-newsletter.

The Heart of Hospitality

As you likely know by now, I am a firm believer in the science of hospitality – greeters in the parking lot, greeters at the door, great refreshments before and after the service, awesome signage, wonderful printed material, etc. along with an inspiring worship service in a well-cared for facility. All of this is important and needs to be addressed. I am also, however, a firm believer in the heart and art of hospitality. A warm person with an open heart can be just as impressive as a large lobby with great décor. A person who gets to know the names of first time guests can be better than gourmet coffee. Treating guests like you are expecting them and are truly glad they came can make a bigger impact than a smiling face in the parking lot. Every church can do something to strengthen its hospitality system. The goal is not to be a clone of another church but, instead, to offer the best hospitality you can in your setting. What will you do this Sunday to make guests feel even more welcome?

Why Do You Want Transformation?

What is your motivation for wanting transformation? I have heard church people say things like “we need new people to help pay the bills”, “we want children in worship because it makes us not feel so old” and “it would be great to have more people because I hate seeing this building so empty”. While these things may be true, are they really the heart of transformation? At its core, transformation is important because: • God desires to be in relationship with all people through Jesus • Jesus lived, died and was raised so that all could experience eternal life, both in this life and in the life to come • The Christian life was designed to be lived in community and the local church is the vehicle through which this is to happen (in spite of it being imperfect) • The message of Jesus is life-changing and is meant for everyone A church can take a lot of actions to move towards transformation. These acts are given life and power, however, by a heart that longs to see more people experience the grace, love and power of Jesus.

Truth versus Facts

Today my husband wrote his blog that can be found at:  www.jondisburg.com.  He wrote about the various versions of history.  That reminded me of a great lesson I have learned in my work on a Doctor Of Ministry through Drew.  Carl Savage has written a book called Narrative Research in Ministry that guides our work.

At the heart of my research project will be hearing stories.  Asking evocative questions and remaining totally neutral to allow the individuals being interviewed to tell their stories.  In listening to their stories one important thing I will need to remember is that each persons story is the truth.  Their story may not be factual but it is their truth.  Do you hear the difference?

I wonder if many of the conflicts in our world wouldn't be solved if everyone realized that each of us has our own truth which may not be the facts.  Each person's story is valid and valuable.  In the courtroom where responsibility for a crime is being determined - facts are important.  The courtroom would not be an appropriate place to share my story about what happened.  I would be asked to share the facts of what I know.

Think about people you have had conflicts with in the past.  If each of you had stopped to acknowledge the validity of each others stories (versions of the truth) perhaps there would not have been a conflict or you might have been able to resolve your conflict quicker.

My story can be influenced by my past or family situation or any number of factors.  As a child I may have been cheated in a way that had a lasting impact on my life.  Therefore as an adult when I relay stories of being cheated, I may have stronger feelings about what happened and even exaggerate what I see as the truth.

Often there are conflicts in the church that could be easily resolved if we were to listen deeply to the narrative (story) each of us has to tell.  Deep listening involves hearing behind the words, wondering what has happened in another person's life that causes them to see things the way they do, or even listening to what they are not sharing.

None of us are trained therapists but we can become better Christians by acknowledging the validity and value of the truth we each share.  As we value the other person's experience as their truth we become less judgemental and realize there is not one version of the truth.  Yes there is one set of facts but often we aren't dealing with facts.

Listen deeply.  Look beyond the surface.  Love beyond measure.

Glimpses of God's Preferred Future for the Church

Recently I have heard a number of new ministries happening that felt to me to be what God would prefer for the future of God's church.  Most of them were getting the church to move out in to the community.  Here are some things I have heard:
 
Bible study in a coffee shop, bar, home, book store...
Worship outdoors for the homeless,
Fasting from using the church building,
A church offering it's resources to a segment of the population and working around their schedule not the  
          church's schedule,
New churches that begin as small groups in homes and never plan to build a building,
Churches that partner with community services,
Church is a Verb Sunday where one church offered to clean toilets in businesses around town,
Rummage sale where everything is free unless you want to make a donation,

I am sure there is a very long list out there.  These things give me hope for the future.  Hope that Christians may be thinking of others and how to reach them.  Do you know of any ministries that belong on this list?

Leila   Check out this website:  http://www.umvitalcongregations.org/

Blessing Practices

Last week I wrote my weekly article for the conference e-newsletter.  I talked about blessings.  I was looking for blessing practices.

Here are a few of the suggestions I received:

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I kept a journal for a few months a few years ago jotting down where I

saw God throughout my day. But, alas, I soon got distracted by life
and raising four children that I began neglecting the 'holy habit'. I
have found that when I partner with someone or a group that I have
much more 'stick-to-it-tiveness'.
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There was a time when I was quite depressed and I started a gratitude journal and I couldn't believe how much my mindset changed after a month.  I wrote 5 things that I was grateful for each day == sometimes I had a hard time coming up with things, so I'd write even the most insignificant like the color green, or toilet paper.  After 30 days, I started to feel better and realized that I was looking at the world more positively.  The power of positive thinking!
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I agree that it is very easy to see the glass half empty.  Especially in these hard times for mainstream churches.  Last November I was contemplating what I had to be thankful for and ended up posting something large and small every day on my facebook page.  I was amazed and gratified by the number of things I could count as blessings.  I have always thought it would be a good idea to keep a written journal but have never followed through.  The facebook posting actually gave me feedback from friends and family which was an incentive to think about the many small things that I have been given that I take for granted.  Any way that works is a good way to pass along that fullness that we are so richly blessed with.  I would be happy to be part of a greater body of thankfulness.  Let me know what others report works for them.

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One of my favorite ways of listing my gratitudes is by using the alphabet, each letter in turn.  It's a great way to add some variety and structure.  I use my ABCs when I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep.  The gratitude list works every time.

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For years I have engaged the ancient practice of examen, which is the last thing that I do each night. You are probably familiar with it. My practice is quite simple. I ask myself two questions, in this order, and framed in attitude of gratitude and blessing:

1. For what am I least grateful today?
2. For what am I most grateful today?

Then I give back to God the gift of the day. This follows Paul's challenge in I Thessalonians, "in everything give thanks." It is a good way to count blessings and I fall asleep in a very positive mode.  It's very simple and short, but as I said, I've practiced it for many years.
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Blessings to all,  Leila

Psalm Written by Leila Disburg and Peter

First Psalm I have ever written.  Classmate Peter and I wrote this for class.   It is unique because it is written from a woman's perspective.


We praise you O Lord
     for your goodness and mercy.
You are the creator of life
     the giver of every good and perfect gift.
For nine months I felt the growth
     Of your gift.
Even in the pangs of childbirth
     your joy overwhelmed me.
Now I hold this small person
     who I dedicate to you. Selah

Wow, that was a great tip

I made it to Washington DC for my visit with the General Board of Church and Society.  No major problems with flying other than circling the airport due to bad weather.  Pretty smooth travels.

However, I am not sure I should be trusted in big cities.  I took a taxi from the airport to my hotel.  My driver was a very nice man and we had a great visit.  We got to the hotel and I went to pay him and he got a big surprise.

I was holding $21 in one hand cause I knew that would cover the fare and the tip.  In my other hand I was holding $40.  I handed him what I thought was the $21 and his immediate reaction was "oh mam this is too much".  I thought "wow hasn't he ever gotten a $5 tip before.   He kept saying too much and I did not get it until later.

While checking in to the hotel I opened the hand with the $40 in it to get change for tipping and guess what?  I had $21.   I had given the taxi driver $40 for a $16 cab ride.  No wonder he said it was too much.  At first I was kind of mad at myself but then I began to smile.

Can you imagine how that made him feel?   I can hear him telling the other cabbies the story of his big tip.  He knows I am from Alaska so I wonder if he knows view Alaskans as generous people.  What I really wish I could tell him was that I am a Christian and we are generous people because God is a generous God.

I know my first cab ride in Washington DC was possibly a loss of $20.  I view it as God helping me to be generous.  Hopefully that cab driver was reminded of the God who loves him so much that he not only had a lady from Alaska give him a generous tip but that God loved him so much to send the only Son to live, love and die for him.

What does God feel?

     Recently I got to visit my oldest daughter Meghan and her husband.  I cannot describe what a wonderful visit it was.  We had a good time, we talked about many things and it was wonderful to see my daughter all grown up in her own home.   Ahhhhhh.
     There really is not a better feeling than to spend time with grown up children and feel so happy that they did listen to you about some things.   It is also great to realize they did not pick up all your bad habits but have thought through and learned many better ways than you taught them.
     As I was reveling in this amazing brief visit I began to wonder if God as our parent feels this way.  The day that I finally get it and let go and allow God to be in charge - what a proud parent God must be.  Or when God and I have a conversation where I don't do all the talking but I deeply listen to wisdom from the one who created me.
     Of course when you think this way about parenting, your own children and God your parent - you can't help but remember that there were days when you wanted to disown your children.   Then I begin to imagine God's head shaking as I (for the umpteenth time) do something really stupid.   God must be so hurt when I have turned my back and knew that I could do things better my way.
     The ultimate satisfaction of being a parent is knowing that no matter where your child has been or what they do - you love them.  You may not like how they are behaving or agree with the decisions they are making - but you love them unconditionally.
     As I breathe in that feeling of love that is bigger than my lungs can handle I remember that God must feel the same way about me and you.  Even when I am struggling God loves me, accepts me and loves me way to much to leave me the way I am.   Wow.
     Today my heart takes me one step further.  What about all those beautiful children of God who don't know how much they are loved?  My heart longs for the people I sit and watch in airports who are not happy, who treat family members badly, and don't like themselves.   I long to have them know the feelings I have felt when I realize how much God loves all of creation and like a good parent wants only the best for us.
     How will I share that kind of love with the world?  How will you let people know how God feels about them?  How will we, the church, reach out and enfold the world with God's love?  I end with the prayer that God will help open my eyes to the way.  Amen.